SEMA Revises Black Book to Ease Process of Emissions Certification

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New Online Format Makes Downloads Available to Members

In the specialty-equipment industry, certification often represents a laborious but required undertaking for the selling of aftermarket parts. To ease the process for members, SEMA created and recently revised the Black Book—a guide to achieving emissions compliance status with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Black Book provides information on current federal and state emissions guidelines and was recently revised into an online format, so its contents are now available for download to SEMA members.

“In many cases, there has been confusion about the process by which requirements can be met and Executive Orders (EOs) from CARB issued for applicable parts and systems,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “For years, SEMA has provided information and outlined compliance steps. However, what the revised material has done is further simplify the process.”

The Black Book offers website links to firsthand information from various compliance-related sources, including the CARB website. The handbook also includes simple steps to obtaining a CARB EO, application forms, helpful hints, compliance criteria checklists, retail restrictions information and a list of independent laboratories equipped to perform required emissions-testing protocols.

“Experience has shown that obtainment of a CARB EO typically allows the sale of applicable emissions-related parts and systems outside the state of California,” McDonald stated. “The Black Book also contains information to assist members in understanding and complying with the EPA’s tampering enforcement policy.”

Under the EPA policy, manufacturers must have a “reasonable basis” for concluding that their products do not adversely affect vehicle emissions. McDonald noted that the EPA currently recognizes a CARB EO as meeting the required reasonable basis.

“This collection of valuable information is designed to expedite the certification process for members and to help them identify ways to minimize both cost and time in reaching compliance status,” McDonald said.

For assistance or for help addressing specific concerns, SEMA members are directed to contact SEMA Technical Consultant Jim McFarland at jmcfar1@aol.com.